Kate Chopin By: Kierra J. Otis

Born February 8, 1850 in St. Louis, Missouri Grew up speaking French & English Father killed when she was 5 years old, allowed more maternal influence Married the French Oscar Chopin in 1870 Moved to Louisiana Had six children Husband died when she was 32, never remarried Immersed herself in writing novels and short stories while raising a family THE AUTHOR- KATE CHOPIN

Transformation from rural agricultural nation to urban industrial “Labor Conflict” – 37,000 strikes Innovative times – 36,000 patents issued Over a 40-year period, 23.5 immigrants arrived 95% of women still served as homemakers THE TIME PERIOD- LATE 19 TH CENTURY, EARLY 20 TH

Published in 1899 Story of protagonist Edna Pontellier’s awakening as a woman Met with wide criticism for condoning adultery and disregard for womanly duties THE NOVEL – THE AWAKENING

1.Women’s Search for Identity – Edna is trying to discover what she should do with her life without conforming to her husband, children, friends, or society 2.Women’s Revolt against Conformity – ties in with the first theme, she rebels against society’s ideas concerning marriage and motherhood 3.Womanly Experiences – a lot about marriage and motherhood, something widely unaccepted at the time, women weren’t supposed to talk about pregnancy/giving birth THEMES

Art (Painting & Music) – freedom and failure Birds – communication, or lack thereof Food – symbolic meals, (Chapter 30- last supper) Water – freedom and escape Sleep – awakening SYMBOLS & MOTIFS

Edna Pontellier – protagonist, character experiencing the awakening Leonce Pontellier – Edna’s husband, treats her well but like an object Robert Lebrun – begins as just a friend to Edna but evolves into a lover Alcee Arobin – a man Edna has an affair with who she actually feels passion for but not real love, described as a womanizer Adele Ratignolle – Edna’s close friend, represents the perfect mother and wife Edna doesn’t believe she’s capable of being Mademoiselle Reisz – A woman who is described as true artist when it comes to the piano, uncommonly unwed MAIN CHARACTERS

Imagery Parallel Structure Narrative Control Narrative Stance Modes of Disclosure Regional Dialects STYLE ELEMENTS SIGNIFICANT TO AUTHOR Common Motifs Food Walking Music Painting Clothing & Fashion

Always with men Edna vs. Leonce Pontellier, Husband Edna vs. Robert Lebrun, Lover Edna vs. Alcee Arobin, male version of a Mistress CONFLICTS